On Peace: “Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.” - Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
“It is easier to lead men to combat, stirring up their passion, than to restrain them and direct them toward the patient labors of peace.” - Andre Gide (1869-1951)
“There is no way to peace; peace is the way.” - A.J. Muste(1885-1967)
On Recycling: “Trash is just recycling in the wrong place.” – Bill Vance |
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| Top Stories |
Artificial Energy Islands Could Power the World - A decade old idea to generate renewable electricity for the globe with offshore, floating ‘Energy Islands’ could soon become a reality. The concept - creating artificial islands to collect wind, wave and solar power in the tropics - is based on the work of Jacques-Arsène d’Arsonval, a 19th-century French physicist, who envisioned the idea of using the sea as a giant solar-energy collector. Read more.
Environmental Performance Index – The US Ranked 39th in the WORLD! (Behind Panama & Albania) The 2008 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) ranked 149 countries in six categories: Environmental Health, Air Pollution, Water Resources, Biodiversity and Habitat, Productive Natural Resources, and Climate Change. The index is compiled by Yale University's Center for Environmental Law and Policy, check it out!
Did You Know that Cars Are the Most Recycled Product in America? End-of-life vehicles are the most recycled consumer product -- both in terms of percentage and volume. -- More than 95 percent of all end-of-life vehicles go through a market-driven recycling infrastructure. Read more.Ten Ways to Recycle Coffee Grounds - Recycled coffee grounds can save you time, money and help you avoid toxic fumes from commercial cleaning products. Below are ten ways to recycle coffee grounds and protect the environment. Read more.
What to Do With Plastic Grocery Bags? Here are a few crafty re-use ideas – 1) fused plastic bag tutorial 2) Ways to reduce, re-use and recycle plastic grocery bags 3) Hand-knit a recycled grocery bag bag |
| Videos |
What are they Waiting For? – Last month the League of Conservation Voters released information about how the media has failed to quiz presidential candidates on environmental issues. The League reports that of the thousands of questions posed to candidates, few questions pertain to global warming, arguably the biggest challenge facing our next president. Watch the video
The Story of Stuff – From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever. Watch the video.
Rachel Carson Remembered – She would’ve been 100 years old now. BILL MOYERS JOURNAL looks at the life and legacy of Rachel Carson and her book SILENT SPRING, which launched the modern environmental movement. Watch the video.
One Laptop Per Child - Mary Lou Jepsen’s keynote presentation of One Laptop Per Child at the Greener Gadgets conference was without a doubt one of the highlights of the event. Watch the video.
The Re-Generation – A global movement – a group of people committed to sustaining the world’s natural environment. Put simply, it's not about "me" anymore. It's about us and it's about now – and it's about time. Watch the video , visit their website.
The Secret Life of Cell-Phones – watch the video by Inform.
Sam Suds and the Case of PVC, the poison plastic – learn more about the dangers of PVC (vinyl) – watch the video.
Smart Trash Cans? – Want to know how RecycleBank works? Giving you green ($) for being green! Check out the videos: video1, video2 |
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| Green Building & Gifts |
We need your help!! Did you know that plug-in electric vehicles are available NOW but are not legal to drive in many states? These vehicles have zero emissions, never having to stop for GAS, ever! The voices of consumers requesting legislation be passed is urgently needed! Senate Bill 152 is stalled in PA and we need you to send an email requesting movement on this bill. Please take a moment & send an email to Senator Armstrong to pass Senate Bill 152. Thank you for helping! ======================= The US generates 290 million waste tires annually, and Close the Loop believes there are many beneficial uses for the end-of-life of a tire besides burning TDF or landfilling. The large tire manufacturers do not take back the tires for recycling (aka - producer responsibility also see citizen’s guide) - we work with many small US businesses to help market & distribute their high quality recycled products.
Please visit our website for more information on our rubber mulch & tiles/pavers, timbers & plastic wood fencing, along with many, many nice gift ideas!
New this month – Hats & other items hand-knit from recycled shopping bags!
The following sales are in effect now for a limited time:
Spring Plastic Wood Fencing Sale – 15% off! Contact us
NEED TO GO ASAP-by March 10th:
1 pallet of 6x6x6 SOLID Stackable RUBBER TIMBERS FLEXOBORDERS quantity=70 at $40 each + shipping
1 pallet of 3.5x4x6 SOLID Stackable RUBBER TIMBERS FLEXOBORDERS – quantity=36 at $30 each + shipping
Please give us a call ~ 866.629.8414, or visit us on the web anytime at www.closetheloop.com
Note of personal thanks – I want to send my personal thanks to Bob Starrett of Baxter Commercial Real Estate & Bal Ramdeo of United Envelope for helping Close the Loop recently…Thank you ever so much! Rita Lacey |
| Upcoming Events |
| Great Green American Fest - Musicians, vendors, artisans and green partners gather to entertain and educate during a weekend dedicated to our environment and learning to preserve it. May 3-4th in PA, read more. |
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